Darcy Shaw said it's vital that young people check their bodies regularly for any changes, and advises them to speak to a doctor if they are unsure about anything after she noticed a mole on her collarbone. Darcy is now supporting Teenage Cancer Trust's campaign, urging the public to be aware of the warning signs of cancer in young people. Research by the charity revealed that only 17 per cent of 13- to 24-year-olds know all five signs which are: lumps, bumps or swellings, unexplained tiredness, mole changes, persistent pain, and significant weight change.
Darcy, Saltburn-by-the-sea, said: “It was my mum who noticed that the mole on my collarbone was getting larger and darker when I was visiting home from university, and she encouraged me to go to the doctors. “I was going to the GP about another issue, so I thought I'd mention the mole too. “I felt silly pointing out a funny-looking mole as I didn't know that changing moles was a sign of potential cancer.
“I was initially turned away by my GP who thought that the changes to my mole were nothing to worry about.” However Darcy compared photographs of herself and continued to feel the mole was changing. She returned to the GP a month later with her concerns.
The GP referred Darcy to Salford Royal Hospital, close to where she was living at the time, and the mole was cut out and tested. Tests showed that she had skin cancer. “I had never heard of the word melanoma before, so when the doctor told me I had it, I didn't .
